1. News.com.au tells us that “COVID vaccines that could be available by the New Year have been pictured rolling off the production line” in the Manhattan-based company of Pfizer. The Mail on Sunday says “several hundred thousand doses” of the Pfizer vaccine are available and plans to have 100 million doses ready by the end of the year. “The promising images come as AstraZeneca, a vaccine company Australia is aligned with, signalled their own candidate could be approved and become available as soon as Christmas,” News reports.

2. The Federal Government has launched its Australian Business Growth Fund to help SMEs obtain finance to grow their business. “Today’s launch of the Australian Business Growth Fund is fantastic news for high growth potential SMEs who require essential long-term equity finance to flourish,” said Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman (ASBFEO) Kate Carnell. The fund will provide SMEs potential access to long-term equity capital investment of between $5m and $15m. “While businesses need to demonstrate three years of revenue growth and profitability, there are allowances in place for the impact of the COVID crisis on recent business performance," Carnell added. Anthony Healy, former NAB chief customer officer of business and private banking, is the fund’s CEO and NAB has already invested $100m in the fund. Under the structure banks and super funds will put money into the fund, which will then channel the capital to SMEs with a three-year track record and a potential for growth.

3. According to its latest official figures, the world’s second biggest economy, China, is continuing to recover from COVID-19, with growth of 4.9% from July to September, a long way from the contraction at the start of 2020 when COVID surfaced there. In the first quarter this year, China’s economy contracted by 6.8% with nationwide shutdowns of factories and manufacturing plants. This was the first time its economy contracted since 1992 when data like this started to be recorded. Chinese data is often questioned by global experts.

4. Seven West Media has released its first-half profit of $100.7 million but has temporarily suspended its dividend to focus on managing expenses and prioritise "prudent capital management and balance sheet flexibility" following federal government media reforms.

5. Both the Dow (down 410.89 points) and the S&P 500 (down 56.89 points) had their worst day since September 23, ahead of a key deadline set by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi to reach a deal on new coronavirus stimulus before the election, while COVID cases rise. The Nasdaq (down 192.67 points) posted its biggest one-day loss since October 2.